The following is a letter I wrote to Mike Davis, director of Wilson County Schools, and the members of the Wilson County Board of Education.

Dear Mr. Davis & members of the Wilson County Board of Education: As a concerned parent of a student athlete in Wilson County, I would ask you to please reconsider the decision which prohibits our student athletes from doing their weight training during 4th block.

This is my second child to participate in athletics in Wilson County. This idea was instituted when my oldest son was playing football at Wilson Central. It was a detriment to the program then and now that my second son is playing football at Wilson Central, it will be a detriment to the current program.

Student athletes and their parents understand that their chosen sport is a commitment. We understand that during the season they will be late getting home. We don't understand why during the off-season they must stay after school to work out when they could be doing this during P.E.

The athletes, coaches and parents in Wilson County want a level playing field with the surrounding counties. It is my understanding that students in the surrounding counties continue to have their weight programs during school hours during the off season. I know for a fact that Rutherford and Sumner Counties allow their athletes to workout during school hours.

Because our children register in the winter semester for the following year, most of the student athletes are currently enrolled in a P.E. class during 4th block. It only makes sense to allow these students to do their workouts during the school day versus doing the workouts after school. I cannot see that it benefits my son in any way to play kickball or dodgeball during school when he could be working out and using after school time for other activities such as studying or working.

I can't understand why the band and drama departments are allowed to practice during school hours, but athletes are not allowed to work out. This is discriminatory against athletes.

My son arrived home from school today around 5:30 p.m. instead of around 3:30 to 3:45 that he should have arrived home had he been able to work out during 4th block. What difference could that possibly make? For students who need that extra time to do their schoolwork, you have cut two hours from that time. During these economic times, there are some students who have to work in order to support themselves or help out with family expenses. There are very few places of employment that run work schedules from 6 p.m. until closing. By eliminating the 4th block workouts, you are forcing students to make choices that they should not have to make.

Once again, I would ask you to reconsider your actions. Thank you for your time. Kelly J. BarberMt. Juliet

Letters policy

Letters to the Editor should be no more than 200 words in length and will be subject to editing for grammar, spelling and issues related to libel. Letters must be signed and include appropriate address information or telephone numbers to verfiy authentication. Addresses and telephone numbers will not be published. Matters involving personal disputes and ongoing civil procedures are discouraged in letters submitted for publication.

Letters should be sent to:

The Wilson PostP.O. Box 857Lebanon, TN 37088

or be emailed to news@wilsonpost.com and must also include the writer's name address and phone number.